Weaving apparatus



31, 1960 G. A. LOFTlN 2,938,546

WEAVING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 10, 1959 s Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR GRADY A. LOFT N ATTORNEYS May 31, 1960 G. A. LOFTIN WEAVING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 10, 1959 INVENTOR GRADY A. LOF TIN BY MUJKQL z z r jns May 31, 1960 ca. A. LOFTIN WEAVING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 10, 1959 INVENTOR GRADY A. LOFTIN May 31, 1960 G. A. LOFTIN WEAVING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed NOV. 10, 1959 INVENTOR GRADY A. LOFTIN ATTORNEYS May 31, 1960 5. A. LOFTIN 2,938,546

WEAVING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 10, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR GRADY A. LOFTIN V auwlzg y aulnm ATTORNEYS United States Patent WEAVING APPARATUS Grady A. Loftin, Altavista, Va., assignor to The Lane Company, Inc., Altavista, Va., a corporation of Vir- This invention relates to weaving apparatus and more specifically to apparatus for weaving relatively stiff material, such as strips of wood.

An important object of the invention is to provide a novel apparatus adapted to facilitate the weaving of relatively still materials, such as flat, thin strips of wood, in predetermined spaced relation whereby the final product may be used for decorative purposes, such as by'apr plying it to preselected areas on the outer surface of furniture. It will be understood, however, that the articles produced by the apparatus of the invention may be used for any desired purpose.

A further object is to provide an apparatus of the character referred to with novel means for accurately predetermining the final positioning of the filling or weft strips in the finished woven article.

Another object is to provide such an apparatus with novel shedding means for selectively elevating unclamped ends of alternate warp or longitudinal strips for the purpose of providing a shed adapted to receive a filling strip.

Still another objectis to provide novel means and structure for automatically efiecting operation of the shedding means and the means for predetermining the final positioning of the filling strips, in response to rearward strokes of a lay mechanism.

Broadly stated, this invention contemplates the provision of a weaving apparatus having: a frame;mounting means carried by said frame for disposing a plurality of strips of relatively stiff material in parallel and transversely-spaced relation; means for forming a shed in said strips adjacent the rear ends thereof; a lay mechanism arranged on said frame for reciprocation in a front-to-rear direction; an adjustable stop means movably mounted on said frame for limiting the forward strokes of said lay mechanism; and means operated in response to return or rearward strokes of lay mechanism to actuate said shed forming means and to move said stop means rearwardly a predetermined distance.

It is further contemplated that the means operated in response to return or rearward strokes of the lay mechanism include an actuating device with means drivingly connecting the actuating device to the shed forming means and the stop means.

Further objects reside in the provision of novel structures, and combinations thereof providing a simplified, inexpensive and durable weaving apparatus designed to be conveniently operated by hand.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The novel features of the invention may be best made clear from the following description and accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view ofthe apparatus in "ice Figure 1 showing the movable lay in its raised and rearward position;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the apparatus of Figure l with certain structure omitted for illustrative purposes and showing the means for clamping the longitudinal wood strips;

Figure 4 is an enlarged and fragmentary end elevational view showing two of the clamping means and associated structure illustrated in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary perspective view looking in from the forward end of the machine showing details of the clamping means and other structure shown in Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a plan view of an exemplary product woven on the apparatus of this invention;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary perspective view looking .in from the rear of the apparatus and illustrating one position of the shedding means of the apparatus;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the structure shown in Figure 7 with the vertical cutting plane passing through and extending parallel to one of the longitudinal supporting members for a warp strip, as will be evident;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary and partially vertically sectionedrear elevational view of the apparatus;

Figure 10 is a fragmentary perspective view of the cam shaft of the shedding mechanism;

Figure 11 is a vertical sectional view of the cam shaft taken along line 11-11 of Figure-9 and also showing its driving. sprocket wheel and chain;

Figure 12 is a fragmentary side elevational View of the apparatus showing the lay in its position after having placed a transverse wood strip in its predetermined position; and

Figure 13 is a View corresponding to Figure 12 but showing the lay in. the rearward position prior to the insertion of a subsequent transverse wood strip.

Aweaving apparatus embodying the invention is shown in the drawings as being arranged on a frame, indicated generally by numeral 20, and including vertical supporting legs 22 at each corner thereof, and a portion 24 disposed at the upper end of the legs 22. The weaving structure, as indicated heretofore, is designed to produce interwoven articles from strips of relatively stiff material, such as wood. An exemplary product of the weaving apparatus is illustrated in Figure 6 wherein letter W is applied to the warp elements while letter F is applied to the weft or filling elements. One contemplated use of such interwoven products is the surface decoration of furniture orthe like- In such use, strips of wood, for example, interwoven so as to produce an article such as that shown in Figure 6, may be applied to panels or other parts of the external surface of furniture to create an attractive and distinctive appearance. For the purpose of facilitating the attachment of the interwoven wood strips onto the furniture, the back side or surface of each individual strip of wood may be provided with a suitable dry adhesive material, such as dry glue.

In accordance with the invention, means are provided on the frame 20 for mounting a plurality of warp strips W in spaced and parallel relation. As shown, this means includes a plurality of spaced and parallel longitudinally extending and elongated supporting members 26. These members 26 may be suitably attached to spaced, transverse stringers 27, mounted on portion 24, as best seen in' Figures 1, 2, 5 and 7. Clamps 28 are provided at the for-- ward end of the frame 20 and cooperatewith the longitudinal supporting strips 26 to firmly grip the forward end of the longitudinal or warp strips W, as will be explained in more detail hereinbelow.

Means are provided at the opposite or rearwardend ofv the supporting members 26 to retain the free ends of the warp strips W in desired, spaced relation, and also to raise alternate warp strips W at their free or rear ends for the purpose of forming sheds therein designed to receive filling or weft strips F,as' will be described in detail hereinbelow.- Y a t 7 A lay mechanism 30 is arranged for-reciprocation above the members 26, and in a front-to-rear direction; As shown, this mechanism includes a carrier 32 of generally rectangulanconfiguration and provided with rollers 34 along opposite sides thereof. -The rollers 34 are'engaged on parallel guides or rails 36 extending from the front to the rear of the frame 20, and along opposite sides thereof, a

as best seen in Figures 1 and 2. These guides 36 may be made of anyrsuitable material, for example, they'may be made of wood, suitably attached to the stringers 27, and

having a metallic strip or layer 38 on their upper surfaces.

The carrier 32 of the lay mechanism may likewise be constructed of any suitable material. If desired, it may be made of a non-frangible, transparent material, whereby the condition of the strips of materialbeing woven may be observed at all times, irrespective of the position of the lay. l v

The lay mechanismfurther includes a frame '40, shown as being of generally rectangular shape, and hingedly secured at its forward end to the carrier 32,.as by hinges 42. Spaced fingers 44 depend vertically from the rear side 46 of the frame 40. A handle or bar 48 is shown extending between the sides 50 of this frame, 'suitablysecured thereto, as in themanner indicated in Figures 1 and 2. The depending fingers 44 of the lay mechanism are designed to engage the filling or weft strips arranged in the sheds formed at the rear of the warp strips and push such strips forwardly, into predetermined locations, as will become ap parent as the description proceeds.

1 As best seen in FigureZ, a roller 52 is arranged at the rear end of the lay carrier 32, for reciprocation therewith,

whereby it operates as a pressure roller bearing onithe warp strips W, and filling strips F during the weaving operation. 'Any suitable structure may be utilized for mounting the roller 52 in the position shown, For exam ple, the roller 52 may be provided with trunnions at its opposite ends journalled in :lugs '54 extending rearwardly from Opposite sides of the carrierfJZ, asbest'seen in Figures 9 and 12. 7

' A stretcher strip 55 may be provided attthe forward end of the frame 20, as shown, for arresting forwardmovement of the lay mechanism, as should be evident.

The structure for clamping the forward ends of the warp strips W is illustrated in Figures 3-5. This structure is shown as including a plurality of clamps. 28, one such clamp being associated with each of the support members'26. These clamps are of hollow, generally rectangular c'onfiguratiomand are carried by or attached a to a vertically reciprocablebar 56. The sides of ,each clamp 28 extend-through slits '58 in an elongated transverse plate shown as extending between and attached to the rails 30. This plate 60 extends below each of the support members 26 and a compression spring 62 is are ranged in; each clamp, pressing at one end against the undersurface of plate 60, and at the other end against the bottom of the clamp 28, as shown.

Any appropriate means may reciprocating the bar 56 to in turn raise the top wall of the clamps 28 away from the support members 26 and against the action of the springs 62. Anexemplary construction for this purpose is shown'as including a'pairtof cylinders arranged in stationary position below'bar 56, and with pistons 66 being slidably arranged therein and connected to bar 56. The cylinders 64 are mounted on a stationary transverse member 65 secured as by straps 67 toja bar 69 attached to the frame portion 24; These cylinders are operatively conne'c'ted to a suitable source. of pressurized fluid, such as compressed airfas by the conduits 6 8, .70. As shown in-Figure L a-conventional valve 72, variable pressure regulator 74 and'pressure gauge 76 may be arranged in the conduit for regulating the new of pressurized fluid to the cylinders 64. The valve 72 preferably is of the type adapted to be moved between (1) a first position wherein communication is established between the cylinders 64 and the source of pressurized fluid, and (2) a second position wherein the cylinders are vented to atmosphere. 7

Thus, when mounting warp strips W in the clamps 28, the valve 72 will be turned on whereby pressurized'fluid will flow into the stationary cylinders 64 to raiseithe pistons 66, thereby elevating the bar 56 and the clamps 28 such as to the positions thereof shown in Figure 4. The ends of the warp strips W will then be inserted into the clamps, with the warp strips being in alignment with their respective supporting members 26. The valve 72 will then be moved to its ofi position wherein the cylinders 64 will be vented to atmosphere, enabling gravity and the action of the compression springs 62 to cause the clamps 28 to move to the positions thereof. shown in Figure 5. In this position, the forward ends of the warp strips W will be tightly and firmly held, in engagement with their respective support members 26' by the compression springs 62, as should be apparent. 7

According to the invention, it is contemplated that a novel arrangement be provided whereby the forward strokes of the lay mechanism will be stopped in predetermined locations by an adjustable 'stop, and whereby rearward strokes of the lay mechanism will be operableto automatically change the position'of this adjustable stop as well as changing the openfshed formed at the'rear ends of the warp strips. In the illustrative embodiment of the invention, this arrangement includes a stop'block 78 m;- stituting the adjustable stop, and carried by a chain 80, as best seen in Figures 1, 12 and 13. Chain 80 is trained around a front 82 and rear 84 sprocket wheels disposed in stationary but rotatable position along one side of the frame 20, asindicated. Sprocket wheel 82 may be journalled to a shaft 86 carried .by the adjacent rail 36, while the rear sprocket wheel 84 is connected toj the shedding mechanism for actuation thereof, in a manner to be discussed in more detail hereinbelow. A lug 88 is shown attached to the carrier 32 and projecting laterally therefrom for abutment against the stop78. A lever 90 is shown as being pivoted at its lowerend to the frame member 94 for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis extending through the pin 92.1A pawl 96 is pivoted by pin 98, to the upper end of the lever 90, and is formed with a curved free or lower end 100 adapted to fit around the'transversely extendingpins or links 102 of the chain 80. Structure is provided for limiting the pivotal movement of the lever 90 in either direction and, as shown, this structure includes a bracket 104 engaged to the portion 24 of the frame and enclosing lever 90. A tension spring 106 is connected at one end to the lever 90, and at the other end to 'the'frame portion :24 for con tinuously urging this lever forwardly against a stop 108 extending outwardly from portion 24. Stop 108 may be be utilized for vertically nism will be arrested, as will be apparent.- During' this suitablyadjustably connected to portion 24'to vary the forward stop position for lever-90. For example, step 108 may be of right angulated, configuration having one side joined to portion 24. by a slot, and screw orbolt connection, as shown. Rearward motionof the lever 90 will be arrested by the rear end of bracket104, as will be; evident. f

The upper end of lever 90 is positioned so as to be in the path of movement of the lug 88 on the lay'mechanism 30, whereby as the lay mechanism is moved rearwardly, the lug 88 will engage the lever 90, and the operator will continue the rearwardmovement of the lay mechanism until the lever 90fstrikes the rear endof-bracketJM, at which time further rearward movement of the lay mecharearward movement of the lever 90, the pawl 9 6, engaged to one of the transverse pins in the. chain 80, will also be moved rearwardly to effect a corresponding movement of the chain 80. This movement of the chain will cause the stop 78 to be moved rearwardly a predetermined distance, as well as effecting a predetermined rotation of the sprocket wheel 84 which, as will be explained in more detail hereinafter, will operate to actuate the shedding mechanism so that a new shed will be formed in the free or rear ends of the warp strips W.

Pawl 96 is so designed that it will slide or freely move over the transverse links or pins 102 in the chain 80 during forward movements of the pawl. However, it will be appreciated that when the free end of the pawl is engaged to one of these pins, it will remain in such engagement during any rearward movements of the pawl. The spacing between the transverse pins 162 of the chain is such that when the lever 90 is moved from its rearwardmost to its forwardmost positions, the pawl 96 will automatically engage one of the pins 102. In this connection, the pawl 96 is shown as being arranged on the lever 90 so as to be urged by its own weight or gravity to pivot downwardly or rotate counterclockwise about the pivot pin 98, as viewed in Figures 1, 12 and 13.

A trip lever 110 is provided for the purpose of detachably retaining the lever 90 in its rearwardmost position. As shown, this lever is pivoted as by pin 112 to a plate 114 vertically adjustably attached to the rail 30 as by the screw or bolt and slot connection shown. Lever 110 includes a forwardly extending and upwardly inclined arm 116 urged downwardly by tension spring 118 against a pin 129 attached to and projecting laterally inwardly from the upper end of lever 90, as indicated. Spring 118 is shown as being connected to the frame portion 24 at one end, and at the other end, to a hook 122 or the like carried by the arm 116. A notch 124 is formed in this arm 116 so that when the lever 98 is moved rearwardly to its rearwardmost position, pin 120 will ride on the underside of the arm 116 until it engages and locks in the notch 124, which preferably occurs when the lever 90 is in its rear- Wardmost position.

The trip lever 110 may be released by the operator simply by depressing the extension 126 thereon, or in moving the lay mechanism 38, the operator may elevate the hinged frame 40 at the rear of the stroke of the lay, and then lower same so that the adjacent corner region of the frame 40 will press down against the extension 126 on the lever 110, thereby disengaging the notch 124 from the pin 120 whereby the lever 99 will be returned to its forwardmost position by the spring 106, as will be apparent.

The shedding mechanism is operatively connected to the rear sprocket wheel 84, as previously indicated, and an exemplary construction thereof will now be described, with reference being made to Figures 1, 2 and 7-11. The shedding mechanism includes a cam shaft 128 extending transversely of the frame 20 and suitably mounted for rotation therein, as by being journalled in the lower portion of bracket 114 on one end (see Fig. 1), and in the lower portion of bracket 13!) at the other end (see Fig. 2). Bracket 130 is shown adjustably attached to the rail 36 and by the slot and bolt connection.

The cam shaft 128 is shown as projecting from rails 36, through plates 114, 130, as best seen in Figures 1, 2 and 9, and is drivingly connected to the sprocket wheel 84 at one end thereof. Axially spaced cam portions 132, 134 are provided along the cam shaft 128, in positions disposed vertically below corresponding support members 26 of the frame. These cam portions are shown as being disposed diametrically of the cam shaft, with the plane of each of these cam portions being arranged at right angles to the planes of the preceding and subsequent cam portions, and with alternate cam portions being in the same plane, as best seen in Figures 8, 9 and 10. A cam follower 136 is provided for each of the cam portions 132, 134, these cam followers being disposed in elongated recesses 138 in the supporting members 26, and mounted on a shaft 140 extending transversely through the support members 26, below the upper surfaces thereof, as indicated in Figures 8 and 9.

Each of the cam followers 136 may be of identical construction, including a body portion of increasing width in the forward direction and defined by a straight upper surface, and an inclined lower surface, and two parallel side surfaces, as best seen in Figure 8. The cam shaft 128 will be rotated, during operation, so as to be disposed either in the position thereof shown in Figure 8, or in positions disposed 90 therefrom. Thus, when the cam portions 132 are in horizontal planes, as shown in Figure 8, the top surface of the cam followers 136 in engagement with these portions 132 will be disposed so that their top surfaces are substantially horizontal, and parallel to the warp strip W thereabove; while the cam followers 136 in engagement with the cam por tions 134 will be pivoted counterclockwise about shaft 96, as viewed in Figure 8, whereby these followers 136 will engage and elevate the warp strips W disposed thereabove, as best seen in Figures 1, 2, 7 and 8.

As previously indicated, the shedding arrangement will operate to change the shed at the rear ends of the warp strips W each time the lay mechanism 30 is moved sulficiently rearwardly for the lug 88 to move the lever 90 to its rearwardmost position. Thus, the movement of the chain when the actuating lever is so operated will be such as to rotate the cam shaft 128 so that those of the cam portions 132, 134 which were in a horizontal plane will now be in a vertical plane, and vice versa. For determining whether or not the cam shaft is rotating the proper amount to change the sheds, as desired, an indicator 142 is shown in Figures 2 and 9 as being provided on the left hand end of the cam shaft 128, externally of the frame 20. This indicator 142 includes a collar 144 fitted over the end of the shaft 128, and includes four equally, angularly-spaced radial fingers 146. A set screw 148 may be provided for drivingly engaging the collar 144 to the shaft 128 whereby the indicator 142 may be adjustably set in a position such as that shown in Figure 2, and then drivingly engaged to the shaft 128, when the cam portions 132, 134 are disposed in horizontal and vertical planes. Thus, upon subsequent actuations of the sprocket wheel 84 and cam shaft 128, the operator can tell from a visual inspection of the indicator 142 whether or not the cam portions 132, 134 are properly disposed in horizontal and vertical planes, at the end of the rearward strokes of the lay mechanism 30-. In this connection, the stroke of the lever 90 may be varied, as by adjusting the position of the front stop 108 toward the front or rear of the frame, whereby the movement of the chain 81) will be correspondingly varied when the lever 90 is actuated by the lay mechanism, thus permitting adjustment of the step-by-step movements of the stop 78, as well as changing the amount of rotation of the sprocket wheel 84. It will be noted that the sprocket wheel 84 will rotate 90 or odd numbered multiples of 90 in order to effect the desired changing of the sheds to produce the woven product shown in Figure 6.

Spacers 150 are arranged intermediate the support members 26, adjacent the rear ends thereof, as best seen in Figures 7, 8 and 9. These members are shown as being of elongated configuration, pivotally connected or journalled to shaft 140, and constructed so that they are continuously urged by gravity to rotate in a counter,- clockwise direction around shaft 140, as viewed in Figure 8. A rod 152 is shown as extending through the lower ends of these spacers 150, and a suitable stop 153 is mounted on and extends transversely across frame portion 24 for engaging and retaining the spacers 150 in the positions thereof shown in Figures 7, 8 and 9 while permitting them to be rotated in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 8. Inasmuch as rod 152 extends through all of these spacers in the exemplary embodiment shown, they will all move in unison.

Mounted on the rear ends of the support members 26 is a wear plate 154 having spaced notches 156 in the forward end thereof aligned with the spaces between adjacent members 26, as best seen in Figures 1, 2, 7 and 8. V The fingers 44 on the lay 30 are adapted to be inserted into these notches 156 to engage a filling or weft strip F disposed; for example, on the forward end of the plate 154 or on the ends of the warp strips, prior -to pushing the filling strip into its final position in the warp strips W. When the frame 40 of the lay is in its down position, the bottom of the frame rear side' 46 may be disposed at a greater height than that of the elevated warp strips W so'as to pass thereover; or the arrangement may be such that the rear side 46 when in its rearwardmost position may be pivoted down and engage and depress the rear ends of the elevated warp strips to enable this side 46 topass overthese ends of the warps in moving a filling-strip F through the shed. In this latter arrangement, the filling strip will be initially disposed by the operator sufficiently into the shed so as to be forward of the fingers 44 when the frame 40v is swung down, as will be evident. As these fingers 44 are moved forwardly ,to push the weft strip F into its position in the article being woven, the spacers 150 will be engaged by fingers 44 and pivoted clockwise,

against their weight, as viewed in Figure 8,a nd out of the 7 way of the weft strip F and fingers 44.

The operation of the apparatus will now be described. The operator will initially arrange the desired number of warp strips W on the support members 26, with the forward ends of these strips being grasped and retained by the clamps 28, as in the manner described above, and indicated in Figures 3, 4 and 5. The lay mechanism 30 will at this time be in a forward position in order not to interfere with the arrangement of the warpstrips W on the members 26.

After the warp strips have been arranged in this manner, the lay mechanism 30 will be pulled rearwardly by the operator so that the lug 88 thereon will move the actuating lever Qtl'from the position thereof shown Figure 12, to the position thereof shown in Figure 13. As discussed above, this movement of the lever 90 will move chain 80 through pawl 96 to effect a predetermined movement of the stop 78, as well as rotating the sprocket wheel 84'to operate the shedding mechanism. A filling strip F will'then be positioned at the'rear ends of the warp strips W, for example, in the position illustrated in Figures 7 and 8. With the filling strip in this position, the operator lowersthe frame 40 on the lay mechanismso that the fingers 44 will enter into the spaces a between adjacent members 26, and rearwardly of the filling strip F. In moving the frame 40 to this position, the trip lever 110 will be actuated or depressed by the adjacent corner of the frame to release the lever 9%,whereby the spring 106 will" return lever 99 to the position thereof shown in Figure 12. a

The lay mechanism 30 is then pushed forwardly by the operator whereby the filling strip F will be moved 7 toward the forward ends 'of the warp strips .W until the lug 88 on the lay mechanism abuts the stop 78. Thus, the structure assures final positioning of the filling strips F in their proper predetermined, spaced location in the woven product.

The lay mechanism will thereafter be returned to its rearwardmost position, effecting a rearward'movement of the stop 78 the predetermined distance for which the device is set, and also effecting a change in the shed formed at therear of the warp strips W, in the manner described above. The next'filli ng strip F will be inserted into the warp strips W in the same manner as that just described. The new position of the stop 78 arrests the forward motion of the lay mechanism so that the second filling strip is disposeda predetermined distance to the rear of the first strip, as will be'understood. In arranging subsequent filling strips in the warp strips in similar manner, the step-by-step rearward movements of the stop78, each time the lay mechanism is moved to the rear, will eflect accurate and uniform positioning of the'weft strips in the finished product. In this connection, it will be observed that due to the construction and arrangement of the pawl 96 in engagement with a link 102 on chain 88, the pawl will elfectively prevent any tendency of the upper run of the chain to be undesirably moved to the right, as viewed in Figures 12 and 13, should the lug 88 be moved against the stop 78 with excessive force. a

It should be noted that the trip lever 110 will operate to retain the lever 99 in its rearward-most position, after being actuated bythe lug 88 during a rearward stroke of the lay mechanism 30. Before the lever can be returned to its forward-most position, it will be necessary to depress the arm 158 of the trip lever to release pin 120 on the lever 90 from the notch 12.4 on the trip lever 110. Thus, if after a rearward stroke of the lay mechanism it is desired to move the lay mechanism forwardly to inspect the article being woven'before inserting the next'filling strip, the trip lever may be left, in locking engagement with the pin .120 on lever 90 so that when the lay mechanism is again moved rearwardly for engaging the next filling strip F to be inserted into the article, the position of the stop 78 and the condition of the shedding mechanism will not be changed. Accordingly, the order, relation and position of the parts for receiving the next filling strip will not be disturbed.

I In a practical embodiment of the apparatus just described, the construction and arrangement of parts was such that the chain 80 was moved approximately 1% inches and the cam shaft 128 'was rotated a quarter turn when the lever 90 was moved between its Figure 12 and Figure .l3,, positions. As indicated above, however, the stroke of the lever 90, or the size of the sprocket wheel 84 may be varied 'to effect the desired step-by-step movements of the indexing stop 78 and step-by-step rotation of cam shaft 128.

After an article of desired size has been produced by the apparatus of the invention, the lug 78 will be disposed toward the rear of theframe 20 (left hand end as viewed in Figures 1,12 and 13). Thus, when it is desired to produce the next article, the operator maydisengage pawl 96 from the chain 80 and movestop 78 to the proper position at the front of the frame, suchas that shown in Figure 1. In this connection, the operator will also observe the indicator 142 for the shedding mechanism to be sure that when stop 78 is so positioned, the arms 146 will extend in vertical and horizontal directions.

"It will thus be seen'that the objects of this invention have been fully and effectively accomplished. It will be realized, however, that the foregoing specific embodiment has been shown and described only for the purpose of illustrating the principles of the invention and are subjectto extensive change without departure from such principles. Therefore, this invention includes all modifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of the following claims. t

What is claimed is:

1. A weaving apparatus of the characterdescribed and including: a frame; mounting means carried by said 2. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein said means operated in response to return or rearward strokes of said lay mechanism includes an actuating device, and means drivingly connecting said actuating device to said shed forming means and said stop means.

3. The apparatus defined in claim 2 wherein said lay mechanism includes projecting means arranged to engage said actuating device during return or rearward strokes of said lay mechanism.

4. The apparatus defined in claim 2 wherein said means drivingly connecting said actuating device to said shed forming means and said stop means includes a chain and sprocket wheel arrangement, said stop means being carried by said chain and adapted to be engaged by said projecting means on said lay mechanism during forward strokes thereof.

5. The apparatus defined in claim 4 wherein said shed forming means includes a shaft disposed transversely of the frame and below strips disposed on said mounting means, said shaft being drivingly connected to said chain and having a plurality of axially-spaced cam means thereon.

6. The apparatus defined in claim 5 wherein a plurality of cam followers are arranged above said shaft and below strips disposed on said mounting means, each of said followers being in engagement with one of said cam means and adapted to be elevated thereby to raise one of the strips on said mounting means.

7. The apparatus defined in claim 1 and further including clamping means engageable to the front ends of said strips to retain them on said mounting means, means continuously urging said clamping means into a clamping position, and means for simultaneously releasing said clamping means.

8. A weaving apparatus of the character described and including: a frame; mounting means carried by said frame for disposing a plurality of strips of relatively stifi material in parallel and transversely-spaced relation; means arranged adjacent the rear of said frame for forming a shed in said strips at their rear ends; a lay mechanism including a plurality of transversely-spaced and aligned depending fingers adapted to be inserted be tween adjacent strips for engaging a transverse filling strip located in a shed at the rear endsof said strips, said lay mechanism being arranged on said frame for reciprocation in a front-to-rear direction whereby said fingers are operable to move said filling strip forwardly in said shed; an adjustable stop means mounted on said frame for movement in a front-to-rear direction; said lay mechanism including projecting means arranged to abut against said stop means for limiting the forward strokes of said lay mechanism; an actuating device drivingly connected to said shed forming means and said adjustable stop means, said actuating device being arranged in the path of movement of said projecting means on said lay mechanism whereby said device will be operated by said projecting means on return or rearward strokes of said lay mechanism.

9. The apparatus defined in claim 8 wherein a plurality of separators are mounted in said frame for pivotal movement about a transverse axis, said separators being located at the rear of said frame and being continuously urged into a position wherein they project upwardly between adjacent strips disposed on said mounting means, and said separators being adapted to be engaged by said fingers of said lay mechanism and moved thereby to 10 positions below said strips during the first part of forward strokes of said lay mechanism.

10. The apparatus defined in claim 8 wherein a chain and sprocket wheel arrangement is provided on the side of said frame, said stop means being mounted on said chain and said shed forming means being drivingly connected to said chain, and said actuating device being arranged for driving said chain.

11. Apparatus for weaving strips of relatively stifi material comprising: a frame; means on said frame constructed to mount a plurality of strips of said material in parallel and spaced relation to be woven; shed forming means disposed to selectively elevate the rear ends of alternate ones of said parallel strips to provide a shed for the insertion of a transverse strip of said material to be Woven; a lay mechanism mounted for reciprocation in a front-to-rear direction relative to said frame and having means to engage a transverse strip positioned in the shed; movable stop means positioned to limit the forward motion of said lay to predetermine the position of said transverse strip; means drivingly connecting said movable stop means to said shed forming means; and an actuating device for said drivingly connecting means positioned to be engaged and moved during rearward strokes of said lay mechanism to actuate said shed forming means to elevate the rear ends of different alternate ones of said parallel strips and to move said movable stop means rearwardly to a new position for limiting the next forward stroke of said lay mechanism.

12. Apparatus for weaving strips of relatively stiff material comprising: a frame; means carried on said frame for mounting a plurality of strips of said material in parallel and spaced position to be woven; said means including a plurality of stationary, parallel and spaced strip supporting members; individual clamps mounted adjacent the forward ends of each of said strip supporting members and movable vertically relatively thereto; means normally urging said clamps against said supporting members to firmly engage a strip of said material disposed thereon; means to move said clamps out of firm engagement with said strips of said material; shed forming means disposed to selectively elevate the rear ends of alternate ones of said parallel strips to provide a shed for the insertion of a transverse strip of said material to be woven; a lay mechanism mounted for reciprocation in a front-to-rear direction relative to said frame and having means to engage a transverse strip positioned in the shed; movable stop means positioned to limit the forward motion of said lay to predetermine the position of said transverse strip; means drivingly connecting said movable stop means to said shed forming means; and an actuating device for said drivingly connecting means positioned to be engaged and moved during rearward strokes of said lay mechanism to actuate said shed forming means and to move said movable stop means rearwardly to a new position for limiting the next forward stroke of said lay mechanism.

13. The structure defined in claim 12 in which said means to move said clamps out of firm engagement with said strips of said material comprises: a transversely extending bar disposed below and in engagement with said clamps, and an actuating means for moving said bar upwardly to move said clamps against said urging means and into a released position.

No references cited. 

